The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.
Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.
A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.
The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.
Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)
former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone
Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com
As I Lay Upon a Night
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
my dere moder lullay
as i lay upon a night
alone in my longing
me thought i saw a wonder sight
a maiden child rocking
hir child asleep bringe
the childe thoughte she ded him wrong
and bad his moder singe
"sing now moder" seide that child
"what me shalle befalle
hereafter whan i cum to eld
so don modres alle
"swete moder fair and fre
sithen that it is so
i preye thee that thu lulle me
and sing sumwhat therto"
"swete son" seide she
"wherof sgud i singe?
wist i nevere yet more of thee
but gabriele's greetinge"
The lyrics of Medieval Baebes' song "As I Lay Upon a Night" depict the singer encountering a vision of a mother and child. As the singer witnesses the mother rocking her child to sleep, the child requests that the mother sing him a lullaby. The mother is uncertain of what to sing, as she knows little about her child's life or future, but ultimately decides to sing a lullaby nonetheless.
The song transports the listener to a medieval setting, evoking feelings of intimacy, tenderness, and vulnerability. The lyrics prompt us to reflect on the universal experience of motherhood and childhood, emphasizing the bonds of love that transcend time and place. While the song speaks in simple terms, it nevertheless communicates a profound message about the enduring human longing for connection and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
lullay lullay la lullay
A soothing refrain meant to calm and quiet a child.
my dere moder lullay
A child's affectionate address to their mother, asking her to sing them to sleep.
as i lay upon a night
The singer describes the setting - a still, quiet night when they are alone with their thoughts.
alone in my longing
The artist is feeling isolated and yearning for something or someone to ease their loneliness.
me thought i saw a wonder sight
The artist saw something that filled them with wonder and amazement.
a maiden child rocking
A young woman was rocking a baby, possibly her own child or someone else's.
the maiden wolde withouten song
The woman was rocking the baby silently, without singing.
hir child asleep bringe
She was soothing the baby to sleep with her gentle rocking.
the childe thoughte she ded him wrong
The baby was upset because he wanted to be sung to and felt his mother was neglecting him.
and bad his moder singe
The baby asked his mother to sing him a lullaby.
sing now moder" seide that child
The baby spoke up, asking his mother to sing to him.
"what me shalle befalle
The baby is asking his mother what his future will hold.
hereafter whan i cum to eld
The baby is wondering what will become of him as he grows older.
so don modres alle
The baby is acknowledging that all mothers must face the task of raising their children.
swete moder fair and fre
The baby speaks to his mother lovingly, calling her sweet and beautiful.
sithen that it is so
The baby accepts that he will not receive any answers about his future, but still wants to be comforted.
i preye thee that thu lulle me
The baby is asking his mother to sing him to sleep so he can forget his worries.
and sing sumwhat therto"
The baby wants his mother to sing a lullaby that will help calm him down.
swete son" seide she
The mother responds to her child, calling him sweet in return.
"wherof sgud i singe?
The mother does not know what to sing to her child.
wist i nevere yet more of thee
The mother does not know what the future holds for her child, so she cannot sing about it.
but gabriele's greetinge"
The mother decides to sing a song about the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.